The Official Publication of the Wallkill Teachers Association NYSUT Local # 13-265 AFT Local #3082 affiliated with NEA * AFL-CIO Vol. 27 No. 2 May 2014 Lisa Bender, Editor By, Melissa Servant, VP Labor Relations The first year at any new venture is always the year of the curve. We come in with these expectations and perceptions of how things should be done. Over the course of this year our shoulds have given way to a bit of reality. The true learning curve has been creating relationships that are unique, accomplish the goal of having our voices heard and have joint decisions made from these discussions. The NYSUT Representative Assembly is all about making decisions for all represented members. The party line reads: What is the RA? Members make their voices heard by electing local delegates who represent them at NYSUT's annual convention, the Representative Assembly. Inside this Issue Membership Milestones 3 Retirement Reception 4 DeSol/Veltrie Golf Benefit 5 WTA Retirees 6 Events Calendar 7 Member Benefits 8 The RA is the union's highest policy-making body, except for a membership referendum. All NYSUT members are welcome to attend the annual Representative Assembly. Only duly elected and reported delegates may debate and vote on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws, proposed resolutions and other business that might be brought before the Representative Assembly according to NYSUT Constitution and Bylaws provisions or policy. This year s RA was held in New York City, with 43% of the locals attending. For a newbie, I thought that number was low. It was surprising to find out the attendance was at an all-time high. Why the interest now? This year was an election year. All the representatives were on edge due to a challenge to the NYSUT leadership. Members were aligning themselves with NYSUT United or Revise NYSUT, red T-shirts for Revise, blue for United. Leaflets were being handed out with information about representatives I had never even heard of. NYSUT United was backed by all of the Hudson Valley locals. Revise NYSUT was supported by New York City, Buffalo and UFT locals. It was enthralling to sit at a Caucus and watch the organized political chaos, games and manipulations, promises and empty speeches which lasted until 1 am. Unfortunately, Revise NYSUT was pushing their slate while NYSUT United wanted to do away (Continued on page 2)
(Continued from page 1) with slates altogether. UFT s members must sign onto voting only for a slate and not individuals was even more disappointing. I thought we would be allowed to vote for the best candidate for each job, not a slate. I was mistaken. The writing was on the wall. When the results of the elections were announced, Revise NYSUT had won every single seat, from local ED coordinators all the way up to the presidency. Only one remained: Andy Pallota. There were some moments of unity, like when the RA voted unanimously on no confidence in commissioner King and against high stakes testing. There were many discussions over Common Core, for or against it, modules or not. In the end all were in agreement that the rollout of it was an absolute atrocity. When the RA ended on Sunday, a new leadership was in place for NYSUT. The Hudson Valley locals felt as if our voices had not been heard. We left New York City wondering what the future would bring. Should we start our own caucus? Should we hold our dues or Vote Cope monies? We felt that disenfranchised. We have been sitting on these thoughts and a month has passed since the RA. We are still considering an independent caucus. We have not withheld any monies from NYSUT. We did come to the conclusion that grass roots campaigns are what unionism is all about. We have become much more active within the Hudson Valley locals, between presidents meetings and ED 13 meetings. We attended protests against the corporate takeover of public education. Within our own ranks we had several elections for new building representatives. Any time that we can increase member s interest and activity in our local we jump for joy. This is only the beginning. Keep an eye out and ears open. We will be having more inclusive meetings with the district office. Now, once a month, building reps will meet with District Administration to reinforce what our members have told us. You will begin to hear more from our committees, either through emails or newsletters. You will begin to notice more acknowledgements and celebrations of what our members are doing. You all have done some amazing things this year! Yes, this was the year of the learning curve. We have a year under our belts. Watch out now. We are just beginning to make the WTA a strong united voice for all of our members. There were some moments of unity, like when the RA voted unanimously on no confidence in commissioner King and against high stakes testing. Impact is your newsletter, highlighting our members activities and contributions to the WCSD and school community: as well as informing the membership of important union and labor issues that impact our members and their lives. 2
Membership Milestones The Wallkill Central School District Board of Education accepted the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Kevin Castle, and awarded tenure effective September 1,2014 to the following faculty at the March 20, 2014 BOE meeting. Congratulations to our colleagues on achieving this important milestone in your careers here at Wallkill! Paula Auringer - Special Education Jennifer Costa - Elementary Education Megan Figurski - Elementary Education Erin Ruiz - Elementary Education Katie Stalker - Elementary Education 3
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Congratulations 2013-2014 Retirees! Susan Brewer Carol Hayward Juli LaMoy Greg Malia Eric McLaud Eileen McQuiston "Retirement, a time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, where you want to do it, and, how you want to do it." Catherine Pulsifer 6 WTA Impact Wallkill Teachers Association Richard Shands, President Melissa Servant, Vice President Labor Relations Teresa Mueller, Vice President Member Relations Stephanie Barnes, Treasurer WTA Impact, the official newsletter of the Wallkill Teachers Association, is scheduled for bi-monthly distribution during the school year. Address questions, comments or article suggestions to: Lisa Bender, Editor, email - lbender@wallkillcsd.k12.ny.us
Coming Events Save the date! WTA Phone Banks WTA Offices - 5-8:30 pm May 19 & 20, 2014 WTA Retirement Reception Osiris Country Club 5 to 8 pm June 6, 2014 WTA Adopt-A-Highway Meet at Tantillo s Farm parking lot Route 208, Gardiner at 9 am June 7, 2014 WCSD High School Graduation Wallkill Senior High School 10 am June 28, 2014 DeSol /Veltrie Golf Tournament Rondout Golf Club, Rondout June 30, 2014 WTA Benefit Trust The WTA Benefit Trust trustees remind all WTA members of the services available at little or no cost to our members. Click on the links below to access information about the Legal, Dental, and Vision benefits. Call Stacey Braun Associates directly to access the Financial Planning Services program. Legal Services www.nysut.org/online_legal_brochure.pdf Dental Benefits http://locals.nysut.org/wallkill/ WTADBenHandbook09_11a.pdf Vision Benefits http://locals.nysut.org/wallkill/davisvisionbook.pdf Stacey Braun Financial Planning Services 888-949-1925 Due to HIPAA regulations, for prompt payment of Dental Benefits claim forms must be submitted to the WTABT at the mailing address below. Become a MAC e-activist and take action: http://mac.nysut.org/ Lori Tunkel, WTABT office manager, is available to answer your benefits questions and to provide notary services to members. Please call ahead if you would like to schedule an appointment. Contact Lori at 256-1234. The WTA Benefit Trust follows the school calendar with office hours 2:30 to 5:00 every Thursday; except during designated school vacations. 7
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